Vehicle Seat Shield Elastic Support Gap Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle seat designs often experience abnormal noise and backlash due to vibrations caused by gaps between the seat frame and shield, especially when there is insufficient space for the shield to be broadly fitted to the seat cushion.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an elastic support portion on the shield that is elastically pressed against the seat frame at a position different from the fitting portion, allowing the shield to absorb gaps and interference through flexible bending, thereby stabilizing the connection and preventing backlash.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the shield is broadly fitted to the side frame of the seat cushion, then the shield is not in a cantilever state and stability is improved, but when space is insufficient, a gap is generated between the shield and side frame causing abnormal noise and backlash

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshield stabilityVSAvoidabnormal noise and backlash

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield's structure is changed from a completely rigid configuration to one incorporating an elastic portion that can deform. This parameter change allows the shield to adapt to space constraints while maintaining stability, as the elastic portion can flex to accommodate gaps without causing noise or backlash.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

An elastic portion is introduced into the shield structure, transforming part of the rigid shield into a flexible element. This flexible portion can elastically deform to fill gaps between the shield and side frame, preventing the generation of abnormal noise and backlash while maintaining overall shield stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Volume of moving object

If the shield is fitted in a cantilever state due to space constraints, then space utilization is improved, but vibrations cause abnormal noise and backlash

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidabnormal noise and backlash

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield structure is modified to include an elastic portion that changes the mechanical parameters of the shield. This allows the shield to be fitted in space-constrained configurations while the elastic portion absorbs vibrations, preventing noise and backlash even when the shield is in a cantilever state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic portion converts the harmful effect of vibrations into a beneficial damping effect. By allowing controlled elastic deformation, the shield can accommodate vibrational movements without generating noise or backlash, effectively converting potential harm into a stabilizing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Manufacturing precision

If the shield is rigidly fitted to the seat frame, then manufacturing precision is improved, but positional changes and interference cannot be absorbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting precisionVSAvoidpositional adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shield structure transitions from completely rigid to semi-flexible by incorporating an elastic portion. This parameter change enables the shield to maintain precise fitting where needed while accommodating positional changes and interference through elastic deformation, thus achieving both precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The shield structure is made dynamic by introducing an elastic portion that can deform in response to positional changes. This allows the shield to adapt to variations in the seat frame position while maintaining secure fitting, combining the benefits of rigid precision fitting with flexible adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The elastic support portion effectively suppresses gaps and absorbs positional changes, reducing noise and backlash by providing a stable resilient force and efficient bending within a narrow flexible range, ensuring a secure and quiet vehicle seat operation.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic portion that further extends from the support portion in the direction toward the seat frame and that is elastically pressed against the seat frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9827887B2Vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 TOYOTA BOSHOKU KK

AI summary

A vehicle seat includes a seat frame; and a shield that is fitted to the seat frame. The shield includes a fitting portion that is integrally fitted to the seat frame, and an elastic support portion that is elastically pressed against the seat frame at a position different from a position of the fitting portion.